Summer Brings So Many of Our Favorite Things~

I can't believe summer is just about over =( It went by way too fast this year!!! I think maybe that's the case when you have kids in school, It seems as though Liv just finished Kindergarten. She starts 1st grade in 4 days, WHOA!

I came across this picture of Nolan(my sweet & spicy, almost 3 year old) when I downloaded pictures from the camera. Shane must have taken it. It just reminded me of the goodness of summer. Here are a few of our favorite summer things~

Bike rides, walks in the evening after dinner(it stays light out for so long!)

Parks, splash pads, swimming pools, and lakes

Fun summer treats

Warm sun and breeze

No set bedtime

IcE CrEaM, LOTS of it

2 very special bIrThDaYs to celebrate

NO TRAINING WHEELS!!!

A week ago we were on a family walk and Liv said "when we get home I want you to take my training wheels off my bike!" For a minute I thought, really?(I'm a little selfish I guess, not wanting her to grow up.) It reminded me, again, what a "big girl" she's becoming. So, we took them off, Shane followed her around the cul de sac a few times, and she took off! She figured it out so quickly, she's got great balance and that was in her favor. So here she is, flying around the neighborhood on her bike. She LOVES riding her bike, one of her favorite things to do each day. Enjoy!

"Welcome to Starbucks"

Oh my, how I love, Love, LOVE the animation of this little lady. She has me rolling when she's in her dramatic play bubble. *I should mention that Olivia really enjoys pretending to drink coffee, and everytime we go to a coffee shop wants a to go cup to take home.She was thrilled to get a tiny little Starbucks apron from Tabitha for her birthday. It's exactly like the one's the Barista's at Starbucks wear. Tabitha is one of those super creative people(who I SO WISH I WAS,) and put together a really darling gift for Liv. So, she came over the other day to make crafts with Olivia and they had a little extra time to play "coffee at Starbucks." Olivia set up the mock Starbucks station at the window. She had all kinds of props~I small coffee pot that really sucked up water and poured it back out into the coffee pot, Starbucks to go cups, Starbucks gift card, fruit snacks(in case there were little one's in the car with customers.) She would ask Tabitha questions like "do you have any kids?, would they like some water?" When Tabitha played the role of the Barista she asked Olivia if she worked and what she was up to. Liv's response "I work at Nordstrom, and a baby hospital." Then she went on about how she liked her job but not really because she couldn't be home with her kids. Whenever Olivia is pretending to be a mom she has this high pitched voice & fake laugh that makes me laugh so hard my belly hurts. She is so funny! Tab and I were laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. Not laughing at Olivia of course, we just couldn't believe how animated she was/IS!

pUrE bLiSs

Olivia's 6! The other day my mom said "Now she has to count her age on both hands, not just one." I told her to stop saying that! Those are the simple realities that make me teary eyed! Not to mention 1st grade~which I WON'T talk about yet. So back to Liv's bIrThDay. The night before her birthday I asked her what she wanted for breakfast on her birthday. She asked for pancakes, & fruit. When we came down to the kitchen birthday morning there was a white paper bag with a little note on it for Olivia. Shane had stopped by Donuts to Go(one of Olivia's favorite places,) on his way to work and picked out a strawberry, pink frosted/sprinkled donut for Liv. He got one for NJP too. So that's how she started her day, a yummy donut & milk.

Olivia wanted The Princess & the Frog theme this year. So that's what we did. When my friend Siri heard the news she immediately thought of a doll cake she wanted to try. In case you don't know, Siri has become "the cake lady" of Spokane. You will see lots of pictures of the cake, it was really amazing! I think she's replaced Stefanie! Another request of Liv's, to rent a HUGE water slide for her 6th birthday. We did that too, and had the party out at Shane's parents on the lake. Such a perfect setting...huge yard, water, cool breeze, an awesome zipline made by Papa Walker, pinata, treats, lots of family, friends, it was great! Olivia is so blessed to have so many people around her who love her so much. Everyone was beyond gracious/generous and she was very thankful for all of them all!

I love her so much, and wish I could just catch up with how fast her years are going by. I am excited to see how she flourishes, and all the blessings that will come along this year for her. I know she had such a blast on her birthday. During her party she told me "Mom, this is the best birthday ever, and I'm never going to forget my 6th birthday."

A special thanks to everyone who helped make her day so special~especially to our friends who are our family! Whether you brought plastic forks to the party, helped frost/decorate cupcakes, picked up pizza's, let me borrow things for the party, made an amazing princess & the frog cake ;) I'm thankful & grateful for it all! XxOo
HaPpY BiRtHdAy breakfast!
I'm 6 now!
Cupcakes!
Isn't Tiana perfect?!
Nolan got a little crazy with the sunscreen!
Nolan & Daddy go down the slide 1st!
Splash!


The Princess & Frogs
Make a WiSh!

The Wells Bros

E & O
She was so excited to open gifts
I got her a white watch~she's always trying to wear my white one =)

Sweet little girls
Pinata Time!



I LOVE THIS picture of all the kids!




Yay Nolan
CUTE

Olivia with her cousin Evan

LOVE this picture of Gam, Liv, and cousins!

SpLiSh SpLaSh

We have been so lucky to have the kids at the same swim school, with the same teacher for 4 years! Hannah(their swim teacher) is so patient, yet also encouraging and has really helped my kiddos get comfortable in the water. They had a blast this year! Nolan was in without me this year, he was so cute learning to blow bubbles, kick, jump in, all the basics. He did great~although once they put him fully under water he was very verbal and reminded them that he didn't want to go under anymore. So week 2 he was unfortunately a little more guarded. I had hoped week 2 he'd be going for it. There's always next year.

Olivia did awesome this year and has become so brave! She was also thrilled because her best friend Ella also took lessons with her this year! The two of them are like yin and yang, and are such a perfect balance! I got some cute pictures of them, and especially like the one's of them going under the water and bobbing around. I know how proud their mamas were of them this year, going all the way under the water, and becoming great little swimmers. Cheers to another fun year at the Davis Swim School!